Thursday, August 25 2016 16:16

ArmInfo. Hero of Artsakh war,  co-founder of New Armenia Front, currently arrestee in Vardashen  Penitentiary of Armenia's Justice Ministry Zhirayr Sefilyan sent a  letter to arrested Andrias Ghukasyan urging him to end hunger strike. 

In his call Sefilyan noted that the Armenian nation needs such  purpose-driven people as Ghukasyan.  Admitting and respecting the way  of struggle he has chosen, Sefilyan urges to end the hunger strike as  if continued it may become too dangerous for Ghukasyan's health.  Sefilyan expressed hope that Ghukasyan will heed his call and review  his decision of continuing hunger strike.  Zhirayr Sefilyan was  detained on June 20 2016 on suspicion of organizing a criminal group.  In early August he made the same call to member of Sasna Tsrer group  Pavlik Manukyan, after which the latter stopped hunger strike.

To recall, Andrias Ghukasyan was detained on July 29 during the  antigovernment demonstrations when Sasna Tsrer armed group seized the  police station.  He is charged with Article 225.1 (organization of  mass unrest) of the Criminal Code of Armenia.  Andrias Ghukasyan  started his hunger strike on August 1. "I am a political prisoner and  I demand the people to establish constitutional order in Armenia and  restore justice with all possible methods," Ghukasyan posted on  Facebook. On August 24 the Court of Appeal in Yerevan did not satisfy  motion on changing measure of restraint for member of New Armenia  oppositionist movement Andrias Ghukasyan and set him free on bail.  After the court his lawyer Lusine Hakobyan stated that it is already  24th day Ghukasyan is on hunger strike. According to her, he is  determined to continue his struggle by all legal means. 

To note, Deputy Chairman of Heritage Party Armen Martirosyan and  Spokesperson of the party David Sanasaryan and responsible for  party's relations with civil society Hovsep Khurshudyan are also  charged under the case. By the decision of the Appeal Court Deputy  Chairman of Heritage Party Armen Martirosyan and Spokesperson of the  Party David Sanasaryan were earlier released on bail.